greave

[ greev ]

noun

, Armor.

1. a piece of plate armor for the leg between the knee and the ankle, usually composed of front and back pieces.

greave

/ ɡriːv /

noun

1. often plural a piece of armour worn to protect the shin from the ankle to the knee

Derived Forms

• greaved, adjective

Other Words From

• greaved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of greave¹

1300–50; Middle English greves (plural) < Old French < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of greave¹

C14: from Old French greve, perhaps from graver to part the hair, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

The safety was excused from the team, with the coach wanting Reaves to take time to greave.

From Washington Times

A very fine drawing on blue paper, lent from the Met, shows the care he lavished on the plate armor: soft ripples of the chain mail, a shimmer of light on the greaves.

From New York Times

He trotted up and down the ranks, his plumed helmet gleaming, his legs decked in bronze greaves.

From Literature

Dingell asked the president to stop his attacks and allow her to greave her husband in peace during the first holiday season following his death.

From Washington Post

They were armored with bronze helmets and greaves and breastplates of heavy leather and shields of wood and bronze, and armed with swords and the long Kargish lance.

From Literature